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How would you rate your class for difficulty level? 1 being easy and 5 being very difficult.

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How would you rate your class for difficulty level? 1 being easy and 5 being very difficult.

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You've asked for a Likert scale (that's what it's called). For most students, the class is a 3. But, for some students it will be a 1 or 5. Since individuals have different life experiences, how difficult the class is depends on each person!

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I think - despite it being seen as lesser to SDSU by many - it is becoming a place of intellectual engagement that is just as full of opportunity as other universities. I feel at home at CSUSM.

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I've seen how important it is and this class is where students usually stay in touch and let me know when they are graduating. So, I feel pretty attached and invested!

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Did you enjoy teaching when you first started?

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Did you enjoy teaching when you first started?

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I did. But, it was also stressful.

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I am late GenX and in my 40's.

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Yes. I had to fail students my very first course and unfortunately there are more than one per course usually.
So far, I have not failed anyone in this specific summer course, though.

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Probably not. I don't like them, but I've done them before when no one completes the readings.

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So far so good. It is going way too fast though!

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If you could only wish on thing, what would it be?

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If you could only wish on thing, what would it be?

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This one will take more thought... to be updated soon.

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Why did you become a teacher? Why college? Why CSUSM?

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Why did you become a teacher? Why college? Why CSUSM?

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I did not find fulfillment in the work I did in my 20's. I was an account manager for an ad agency. When I had my first kid, I did not want to return to work, but I did really enjoy watching her discover and learn. So, I decided to go back for a Masters degree so that I could teach college. I enjoy writing and reading (I have my whole life), so that is why I do what I do. CSUSM was the closest University to my house. I had a 3-year-old and 6 month old when I started, so I needed to be close to them.

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Watch my younger daughter play club softball or help my older daughter with something related to her work in theater. I have costumed shows before and when I was a college student I wrote and directed one-act plays.
I also hang with my dogs. We really bonded when I was home during the COVID era.

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What is your advice to upcoming freshmen (who might be nervous & scared)?

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What is your advice to upcoming freshmen (who might be nervous & scared)?

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By taking this summer course you are at an advantage compared with other first-year students who are starting in August. Know that you will encounter difficult academic tasks, but they are never insurmountable (& there are tutors and learning centers to help, in addition to professors - who are more approachable than you think - in most cases).

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Either this summer class or a Film & Literature class

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Be mentally present in class - not just physically there.
Be prepared to think (drink caffeine, have lunch before class, etc.).
Be open to feedback given.

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I like to roll with the needs of the class. I always have a plan when I enter the class, but I like to flow with what students seem to need. I am honest when I give feedback. Feedback is constructive though and I am known for my diplomacy. I do feel strongly that students should take responsibility for their own educations, though.

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What are the requirements for the final essay?

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What are the requirements for the final essay?

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These will be shared in Week 2 or 3

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Best advice anyone has given you about school? Also worded as - What's the best advice you can share with us on how to get through college?

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Best advice anyone has given you about school? Also worded as - What's the best advice you can share with us on how to get through college?

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Do you expect a certain amount of written pages for specific assignments?

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Do you expect a certain amount of written pages for specific assignments?

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Yes. Length and other important technical requirements (such as whether MLA format is needed) will be shared on individual prompts.

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Good question! I realized after reading this that this policy is missing from my syllabus! It has been updated under the course policies. Also, I do provide extensions, but these do need to be requested and granted PRIOR to the deadline. How much time depends on the reason why you are asking for more time.

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Are we going to be using most things we need for the class digitally?

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Are we going to be using most things we need for the class digitally?

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Yes. Most of what we do will be posted to Cougar Courses and you'll also be submitting to CC most of the time. There are exceptions though!

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How deep can we go if the writing material is on us?

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How deep can we go if the writing material is on us?

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I actually cannot answer this question without knowing what you're writing in response to. Some assignments might ask you to share your specific perspective. However, most academic writing you'll do in college won't focus on your story/narrative (unless you take a memoir class)!

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How do you grade? What are you looking for?

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How do you grade? What are you looking for?

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The course is points-based.
Essays are graded with a rubric wherein revision from smaller assignments should occur.
Smaller assignments are graded on completion & "effort."
Details on what I look for will be discussed with each assignment (and can be understood through rubrics)

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What is going to be our main focus in class?

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What is going to be our main focus in class?

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Subject - college rankings
Learning - effectively reading complex texts, thinking about them, writing about them, and then thinking some more

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What type of writing will we be developing here in class?

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What type of writing will we be developing here in class?

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A variety! Writing types are muscle groups & what you do with analysis is different than summary or argumentative writing